BLUE EARTH– The final assessment hearing for the South Linton Area Street & Utility Improvement project was held at the Blue Earth City Council meeting on Monday.

City Engineer Ben Rosol held a presentation for the council and the assembled members of the public, explaining the particulars of the Linton Street project and answering questions along the way.

“This project includes both full street reconstruction and utility work,” Rosol shared. “The affected areas will be South Linton Street from Fifth to 10th Street, Sixth Street from Nicollet to where the pavement ends, Seventh Street from Nicollet to where the pavement ends, Eighth Street from Holland to Main and Ninth Street from Holland to Main. We will also be replacing the asbestos-lined watermain along Nicollet Street from Fourth to 10th, along with a few other utility projects in other areas.”

A member of the public who was in attendance asked if there was a construction timeline available, so that they could view when certain areas would be under construction.

“We are planning to hold a neighborhood meeting with all of the residents who will be affected by the project, by which point we will hopefully have a rough timeline for construction,” Rosol replied. “The date for that meeting will be announced soon. We will also be providing updates via newsletter, as well as on our project website at www.blueearthconstructionprojects.com, which is already up and running. You can sign up for notifications via email or text, to be notified of any updates throughout the project.”

Following the closing of the public hearing, a motion was made and seconded to pass Resolution 26-21 approving the final assessment roll for the South Linton Area Street & Utility Improvement project. The motion passed unanimously.

Other business discussed at the City Council meeting included:

— City Administrator Dawn Collins presented the council with the sealed bids for the property located at 1006 East Fifth Street. Only one bid was received, an offer of $7,000 from Polo Sifuentes, which was under the set minimum bid of $10,000. Following some discussion, a motion was made and seconded to accept the bid from Sifuentes. The motion passed 5-1, with Mayor Rick Scholtes in dissent.

— Raffle permits for the Blue Earth Giant Museum and American Legion Post 89 were unanimously approved.

— Resolution 26-20 approving an application to the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority for a loan from the Clean Water Revolving Fund was unanimously approved.

— A registration application for a Retail Cannabis License for Ouidhaus LLC was unanimously approved.

— Authorization for Mayor Scholtes and the city staff to meet with various townships and discuss their Fire Service Agreements, which are set to expire this year, was unanimously approved.